Admission Denied: 5,658 High-Scoring UTME Candidates Overlooked In Four Years

Admission Denied: 5,658 High-Scoring UTME Candidates Overlooked In Four Years

Between 2019 and 2023, a staggering 5,658 UTME candidates who scored 300 and above missed out on admissions into Nigerian tertiary institutions, according to recent data from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB)…….. CONTINUE READING

During this period, while universities maintain autonomy in setting their admission criteria, it is widely perceived that candidates with higher UTME scores have a competitive edge over those with lower scores.

In 2018, for instance, out of 4,683 candidates who scored 300 and above, only 3,683 secured admission, leaving 1,000 without placements. In 2019, 2,967 high-scoring candidates aimed for admission, with 2,288 successful and 679 unsuccessful. The trend continued in 2020, where 4,948 scored 300 and above, 3,492 were admitted, and 1,456 were denied admission.

In 2021, 715 candidates achieved 300 and above, out of which 590 were admitted; 125 candidates, including 35 aspiring medical students and 64 engineering applicants, were denied admission. The figures for 2022 showed 5,833 high scorers, with 3,708 gaining admission and 2,125 missing out. In 2023, 5,261 scored 300 and above, of whom 3,988 were admitted and 1,273 were not.

JAMB attributed reasons for non-admission to factors such as incorrect O’Level subject combinations, low post-UTME scores, refusal of admission offers, duplicate applications, absence from post-UTME screenings, and mismatches in catchment areas.

These statistics underscore ongoing challenges in the university admission process, highlighting the plight of high-performing candidates who fail to secure places despite their academic achievements.